Abbas Warns Against Weakening HIV, TB, Malaria Programmes
By Oluwakemi Kindness Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has cautioned against weakening specialised HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programmes as lawmakers consider a bill to expand the mandate of the National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS (NACA). Abbas gave the warning on Wednesday at a public hearing organised by the […]
NELFUND Clarifies Student Loans Are Voluntary
By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul The Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND, has clarified that student loans are voluntary, urging tertiary institution students to apply only when they need financial assistance. The fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday. NELFUND said the scheme aims to remove financial barriers […]
Lawmakers Advance National Organ Donation Bill to Second Reading
By Oluwakemi Kindness The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish a National Deceased Organ and Tissue Donation Programme to second reading, paving the way for further legislative consideration of a framework for organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria. The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, and […]
Reps Urge Calm, Compliance With Health Guidelines Amid Ebola
By Oluwakemi Kindness The House of Representatives has urged Nigerians to remain calm and follow official health guidelines amid concerns over Ebola. Lawmalers also called on the Federal Government to release outstanding funds appropriated for health agencies. The appeal for calm was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Rep. Amobi […]
NLC Threatens to Shut Chinese Firm Over Workers’ Welfare
By Chinedu Echianu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down the operations of Wizchino Engineering Company Limited, a Chinese construction firm in Abuja, over alleged anti-union practices, poor workers’ welfare and inadequate safety measures. The labour movement issued the warning during a picketing of the company’s headquarters building (under construction) where workers […]
Bauchi Launches Startup Law, Graduates 100 Cybersecurity Youths
By Mardiyyah Abubakar The Bauchi State Government has launched a new startup law and graduated more than 100 youths trained in cybersecurity under its Cybernation programme. The initiatives aim to promote digital innovation, create jobs and equip young people with skills to compete in the global technology industry. Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, […]
Adesugba Calls for Tracking of $1tn Economy Target
By Oluwakemi Kindness The First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Professor Adesoji Adesugba, has called on economic journalists to develop a quarterly tracker to monitor Nigeria’s progress towards its one-trillion-dollar economy target by 2030. Adesugba made the proposal at the 20th anniversary conference of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association […]
Five States Approve Police Amendments as Draft Bills Advance
Five More States Approve Constitutional Amendments for State Police By Oluwakemi Kindness Five State Assemblies have approved constitutional amendments required to establish state police, as the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submits its draft legislation and 29 related amendment bills for review. The assemblies are Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Kwara and Adamawa. They […]
Customs Strengthens Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows
By Oluwakemi Kindness The Nigeria Customs Servce has launched a four-week mentoring programme with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to strengthen its capacity to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said during the training in Abuja, that effective collaboration among government agencies was critical to combating money laundering and terrorist […]
Uganda Denies Ebola Outbreak After Nigeria Confirms Case
By Mardiyyah Abubakar Uganda’s Ministry of Health has denied reports of an Ebola outbreak in the country following Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, confirmed the infection on Tuesday, saying laboratory tests identified the Ebola virus in a woman […]